Broadway, a blog, a brother and a birthday

Today is Steve on Broadway's birthday!

Many of you reading this know Steve and even some of you who've never had the pleasure have heard me kvell over him and what a wonderful friend he's been to me.

There's no doubt that Steve's passion for theatre has had an impact on my life, ever since he answered an e-mail I sent him, in 2006, when I was planning my first trip to Broadway to see Kevin Spacey in "A Moon for the Misbegotten."

In the five years before we met, the total number of plays and musicals I'd seen: 1. In the five years since: nearly 150. Before bloggers brunches, before Twitter, he was someone with whom I could share my newfound enthusiasm. And without his encouragement, I wouldn't have started a blog of my own. (The name Gratuitous Violins was his inspiration.)

I'm pretty sure that when Steve answered my first e-mail, saying "I'm delighted you found me," he never expected to get caught up in all of my drama. But he is a good and generous person and a loyal friend, with an amazing capacity to welcome new people into his life.

And having Steve for a friend means you never know when there'll be a surprise just around the corner. Two years ago, he threw me the best birthday party I've ever had. He took a day that I'd been dreading and suddenly made it all seem worthwhile.

Really, there's only one word to describe Steve - he's a mensch. I feel so blessed to have him in my life and I'm so proud to be his adopted Jewish sister. As he marks a milestone today, I just want to say: Happy birthday, Steve! Love you lots!

Turning on comment moderation

I hated to do it but I finally turned on comment moderation.

It wasn't that I got any nasty or rude or insensitive comments. It was the unrelenting spam via an Internet Service Provider on Taiwan called Chunghwa Telecom.

There were times last year when I got 10 or 11 spam comments on multiple blog posts on the same day. And they had to be deleted one by one, a time-consuming task.

The spam stopped for awhile but recently it's started up again with a vengeance. I understand Blogger is a free service but I wish it would do a better filtering job. And I'd love to know if there's a way to block this one ISP.

When I leave a comment on someone's blog, I like the instant gratification of seeing it appear immediately. But it's getting to be ridiculous. Every day I'm deleting a half-dozen or more spam comments.

I can approve comments by e-mail and I check my e-mail pretty regularly, so there shouldn't be too much of a lag time. And the only ones I plan to reject are spam.

So far, it's working. I had five spam comments in five minutes earlier this evening and none of them got on my blog.

Thank-you for understanding.

Remembering Patrick Lee

I only met Patrick Lee once, at our first bloggers brunch in March 2008, when more than a dozen of us, mostly strangers but united by a passion for theatre, gathered at the venerable Broadway hangout Angus McIndoe.

I remember going on about how much I loved The 39 Steps, which had recently moved to Broadway after a stop in Boston. Patrick didn't share my enthusiasm for the play but we had a lively discussion about it.

That was the first of many terrific conversations, many brunches and dinners and shows and adventures with new friends. We don't always agree and that's a good thing. Because for me, the debate is a big part of the fun.

Today Theatermania, where Patrick was a frequent contributor, reported that he passed away earlier this month in Larchmont, N.Y. He's survived by his mother, sisters and other family members.

My theatergoing friends have become a big part of my life and to lose one, so young and so unexpectedly, is incredibly sad and shocking. My condolences go out to Patrick's family and to friends and colleagues who knew him far better than I did.

Even though we only met once, I was a devoted reader of his blog, Just Shows to Go You. We both had an opportunity to see Hairspray before it closed on Broadway. It's one of my favorite musicals and Patrick summed up so well what I loved about it:

"I spent the first act with the wildly enthusiastic audience marveling at how feel-good a well-directed, delightfully choreographed and terrifically scored big Broadway musical can be when everyone is on their game."

As a writer and as an advocate for theatre, Patrick Lee was always on his game. He will be missed.

My colonoscopy - without the gory details

Two weeks ago I had a colonoscopy. I'm happy to report that my colon is in good shape, thank-you very much. And of course, there's a theatre angle.

I knew that once you reach a certain age - which I uh, attained last year - you're supposed to have one. Everyone I talked to said it was no big deal - they put you to sleep and the next thing you know, you're in the recovery room.

I also knew that the preparation, which involves a liquid diet and a thorough cleansing of the system, was going to make me physically uncomfortable. It did. I'll spare you the gory details but even now I shudder just walking past a display of Gatorade at the supermarket.

So, I kept putting it off. I had plenty of time, it wasn't the right time of year, I didn't have a family history of colon cancer, whatever. I'm very good at procrastination, especially when it involves physical discomfort.

Now, here's where the theatre angle comes in.

One of my regular blog reads is Guy Dads, written by Ed and his husband Eddie, who live in Northern California. They have a big, blended family, they're San Francisco Giants fans, opera buffs and they love theatre. I love reading about their marathon theatre trips to New York City.

Well in October, Ed wrote that he had colon cancer. Thankfully, it was caught early and although it's been a harrowing nine months involving multiple surgeries, he's doing great. I'm looking forward to reading about their next theatre trip to New York, whenever that might be.

When Ed was too ill to post, Eddie has kept friends, family and readers informed. One thing he wrote struck me as so important:

I cannot tell you how wonderful it has been to be in a state, city and hospital system where not one person has blinked an eye every time I walk in anywhere with Ed or where I call or show up and say I am his spouse.

The doctors, nurses, receptionists, social worker, medical records clerks, etc. have each and every one treated me with respect and as the person who of course should be monitoring and managing Ed's health care.

I cannot imagine how much more difficult this whole situation would have been in most of the other states of this 'free' country. In many, I would not have been allowed in most of the offices. I certainly would not be called by the doctor, emailed with the test results, or allowed to ask anyone any question and get it answered.

This is why President Obama's April mandate, that hospitals extend visitation rights to the partners of gay and lesbian patients and respect their right to make decisions for their partners, is so important. A new study by the Human Rights Campaign finds 42 percent of the nation's 200 biggest hospitals lack policies to protect gay and lesbian patients.

Ed's cancer diagnosis was certainly a wake-up call for me. Without it, I probably would have put off the colonoscopy even longer. The day before wasn't pleasant but the test was a piece of cake (if only I could have had a piece of cake that morning!) - and it beats the alternative.

Normally I wouldn't get so personal but as the Talmud teaches, if you save one life it's as if you've saved the entire world.

Why should I wait until opening night?

Wow, some people just don't get it, do they?

British theatre producer Michael Codron, who received an Olivier Award for lifetime achievement earlier this month, has some harsh words for theatre bloggers.

Here's what the 79-year-old Codron told Mark Lawson in The Guardian:

His single flash of anger is aimed at the bloggers who, in defiance of theatrical convention that comment is embargoed until press night, review a play during its previews. "It's almost invariably reactionary responses. They're the modern equivalent of the lot that used to boo the plays in the 50s and 60s. I think they're ghastly."

When I started my blog, if I saw a preview I wouldn't wait, I'd post my review immediately. Now, I do tend to wait for opening night simply because it's more fun that way! If I saw a preview performance, I always mention that.

But since I pay for my tickets I'm under no obligation to anyone, especially the producers, to hold off on stating my opinion. And, I might add, I've paid full price for shows in preview.

The blog isn't my job, it's a hobby. It's simply an extension of a conversation I might have in everyday life. It's a way for me to jot down my thoughts, to vent occasionally, to write about something I enjoy.

To say that I shouldn't post a review until opening night is as silly as saying I shouldn't talk about the show with friends or coworkers or post something on Twitter. I should just enter the cone of silence and not utter a word to anyone.

Theatre fans are a pretty passionate bunch - hate it or love it, we want to talk about what we've seen. Why would you want to stifle that dialogue? Besides, the bloggers whose reviews I read regularly are extremely thoughtful and knowledgeable - hardly "reactionary."

Of course if someone accepts a free ticket from a producer with the understanding that they'll wait until opening night, well that's a different story. It's just not mine.

Theatre criticism and serendipity

At first glance, it may not mean much to the average theatre fan that Variety has laid off critic David Rooney. Variety is a trade publication and unless you're in show business, or an especially devoted fan, you probably don't read it.

But as this Playbill article mentions, Rooney is merely the latest addition to a line of theatre critics who've been let go by more mainstream publications, replaced by freelancers if they're replaced at all. (By default, Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press is probably the most influential mainstream theatre critic in the United States.)

I know there's the argument that criticism hasn't declined, it's simply changed, gotten more dispersed and democratic with the advent of blogging. There are more theatre critics nowadays, not fewer.

Well, bloggers can pick up some of the slack and we do have a role to play. Our passion for theatre goes a long way toward keeping the conversation going. We can be a great source about what's going on in New York and elsewhere and our reviews are widely read.

But as I see it, there are a few obstacles to theatre bloggers taking over the world:

• we're preaching to the choir, people come looking for us because they're already interested in the subject; (Does anyone aimlessly browse the Internet?)

• few of us, even on a great day, reach as many people as a TV station, radio station, magazine, newspaper or their Web sites;

• since most of us don't blog for a living, we pick and choose what we write about. We don't have an obligation to cover everything in our communities.

All of this may not mean as much to Broadway or to a major regional theatre company that will still get coverage, that have built-in audiences.

But what about the small company just starting out? How does it get noticed? What about a theatre in a community where there aren't a lot of theatre bloggers to pick up the slack?

And there's one more thing that troubles me about the decline of general-interest criticism. Our culture has become so decentralized, with everyone wrapped up in their own little sources of information, that we've lost the opportunity for serendipity.

That means there's less chance we'll come across something we've never heard of, never thought about reading or attending or listening to, but our curiosity has been piqued. It means there's even less chance that a non-theatergoer will hear about the theatre.

In defense of Twitter

After I finish writing this blog post I'll put a link to it on Twitter and that will be my 5,000th tweet.

I know it's fashionable to knock Twitter as another example of social networking run amok, filled with people sharing the minutiae of their lives in 140-character spurts, like what they had for breakfast or lunch.

In one of the most recent examples, George Packer wrote online for The New Yorker: "Every time I hear about Twitter I want to yell Stop. The notion of sending and getting brief updates to and from dozens or thousands of people every few minutes is an image from information hell."

Honestly, I feel just the opposite. Rather than an "information hell," I use Twitter to better organize information.

Many of the sites I follow are related to theatre. It's a quick and easy way to keep track of what's happening on Broadway and elsewhere. There are book-related sites on my list, too. (In one of the most imaginative uses of Twitter, I'm also tracking John F. Kennedy's campaign for the White House in 1960.)

Some people I follow are friends and fellow bloggers. Others I've found through a shared interest. I've had great discussions with theatre fans across the country and as far away as Australia about shows we've seen or what we're looking forward to seeing.

Often, the tweet includes a link to an interesting article I wouldn't have found otherwise, like the inspiring story of Andrew Grene, a U.N. worker killed in the earthquake in Haiti. And in one serendipitous case, a tweet led to an act of kindness I'll never forget.

It's not always so serious either. There are some people I follow simply because they make me laugh. I need a laugh every once in awhile.

On the down side, every once in awhile I go through my followers and block the ones who are spamming me. And yes, Twitter attracts people who hide behind pseudonyms to say stupid, vulgar things, just like every other part of the Internet.

What I appreciate about Twitter is that it's easy and immediate and limitless. It's also been a great way for me to find new readers, especially when people link to a blog post I've written.

I look at it as a never-ending conversation with as many or as few people as I choose, for as much or as little time as I care to spend. To some, perhaps that's overwhelming but to me, it opens up a world of possibilities.

Follow Friday - JK's TheatreScene

To borrow a phrase from Twitter, it's "follow Friday!"

I'd like to give a shoutout to a fellow New Englander whose blog I recently started following, JK's TheatreScene. Jeff, or "JK," lives in Vermont and he's been blogging since August. (I found him via Steve On Broadway's blogroll.)

Here's what Jeff has to say about himself: "MAJOR theatre enthusiast! Love the Divas, the Broadway Boys. I mostly enjoy musicals, but lately have come to even seek out a good play. Theatre is my passion, a passion I hope to share with many others."

What I like about his blog is that it's thoughtful and wide-ranging but best of all, Jeff has a conversational style that's fun to read. The enthusiasm definitely comes through.

Plus, he makes it fresh every day! (Or close to it.)

In addition to reviewing musicals and cast recordings and previewing upcoming shows, he's also written about riding the Megabus to New York, delved into the history of Broadway theatres, and created a Broadway-themed crossword puzzle, which I definitely need to get started on.

It's always great to find a new theatre blogger whose writing I enjoy. So even though I'm a little late, a belated welcome to the blogosphere!

The blog turns two

Happy blogoversary to me!

On Sept. 28, 2007, Gratuitous Violins was born when I pressed "publish" on my first blog post, a review of The 39 Steps. Here's what I wrote on my first anniversary, and all of that still holds true.

For everyone who's added me to their blogroll, left a comment, found me by Googling where Carrie Bradshaw went to college (I still don't know!) or searching for violin music (I don't have any!) or just stopped by to read what I wrote over the past two years, thank-you.

It's great to have a platform to write about issues that are important to me and it's incredibly rewarding to be part of the online theatre community that has been such a welcoming place and led to so many wonderful friendships.

Like actors thrilling at the first reaction they ever receive from an audience, writers can get bitten by the bug, too. It's been a long time since I had my first byline in The Northeastern News but even after all these years, it's still a thrill to know that people are reading something I've written.

Guides to Boston theatre and beyond

The weather's turned a little cooler this week and the college kids are moving back. Soon the leaves will change and it'll be time for another fall theatre season in New England.

So thanks to Joel Brown at Hub Arts for tipping me off to some great sources for news about what's coming up and Art Hennessey of Mirror Up to Nature for compiling a list of this fall's "should see" plays and musicals.

First, there's ArtsBoston, which offers reduced-price tickets and bills itself as a "one-stop shop" for arts and entertainment.

The revamped Web site is a little busy looking but it's pretty comprehensive. And the season preview, which you can download at Hub Arts, includes a blurb from my fellow blogger Chris Caggiano, of Everything I Know I Learned from Musicals. (It's on Page 6.)

A new resource is Explore Boston Theatre, the brainchild of Nicholas Peterson, who has extensive experience in using the Internet to promote the arts and nonprofit organizations.

The mission of the Web site is to connect audiences with excellent theatre productions throughout New England, although it does seem a little Boston-centric right now. Hopefully that'll change as it gets off the ground.

And Peterson has inaugurated Explore Boston Theatre with a nice feature. He's asked artistic directors from throughout the region to consider this question:

The past year has brought changes to the national economy which affect the financial health of theatres. We need theatre now more than ever. It promotes the public dialogue about what matters to all of us. Why?

The first reply comes from Kate Snodgrass, artistic director of Boston Playwrights Theatre, who writes about the importance of new plays. Here's part of what she said:

"New work asks the questions we're afraid to ask, and it does it with respect and in-your-face compassion. New works make us laugh in the face of hopelessness, instruct in the face of ignorance, and call attention to our lives just in the nick of time."

Julie and Julia

I just loved Julie & Julia. The two hours flew by.

A lot of times, I'm disappointed when I see a movie based on a book I've read but this time, I might even like the movie more. Although it's been a couple years since I read Julie Powell's memoir on working her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, so I can't really compare.

Meryl Streep is such a commanding presence and okay, maybe a tiny bit over the top at times with the high-pitched voice, but she imbues Julia Child with a humanity that makes her more than a caricature.

And Amy Adams is so appealing as Julie Powell, an office worker who feels like she's in a rut. Has she ever given a performance that I didn't like? I don't think so. Maybe her character is a little self-absorbed but aren't we all at times?

One of the things director Nora Ephron does which I really like is make the stories of Julia in Paris in the 1950s writing and cooking and Julie in New York City in the aughts blogging and cooking so parallel. A Julie scene dissolves into a Julia scene so seamlessly.

And it's interesting to see how much they have in common. They're both searching for something meaningful to do, something about which they feel passionate. And they're aided by incredibly supportive spouses, Chris Messina as Eric Powell and Stanley Tucci as Paul Child.

Plus, Paris looks beautiful and everyone in the movie is drinking wine and eating food that looks great - crusty loaves of bread, rich chocolate cake, hearty beef bourguignon. You feel so satisfied when something you've cooked turns out well. It made me want to go home and de-bone a duck.

Finally, how could I not love a movie where one of the main characters is a blogger!

In fact, the movie is kind of like an ode to blogging - the uncertainty when you're first starting out about whether anyone will read it, the excitement when you discover people are reading your words.

I could so relate to those scenes of Powell writing her blog posts, her thrill at getting comments from people she doesn't know, the bond she creates with her readers. (You can read the first Julie/Julia Project post.)

It's like seeing my life up there on the big screen. Or at least it could have been my life if only I'd thought of doing something nearly as clever.

Blogging on the Rhode to Fitness

There's (almost) nothing I love more than introducing people to the joy of blogging, so I'm thrilled that my friend Kathy Garmus has taken the plunge. Please check out her blog, Rhode to Fitness.

A little bit about Kathy: She's a lifelong fitness and outdoor enthusiast (that's her at left, enjoying one of her favorite activities). And she's studying for the American Council on Exercise personal trainer certification. Here's how she describes Rhode to Fitness:

"I'd like to think that my biggest credential is that I'm 50 (soon to be 51), and feel great. I'm as active and strong as ever, and more open to all the possibilities that life has to offer. I think I can bring a unique perspective to the discussion of fitness. So I plan to be here most days, serving up what I hope will be some nutritious food for thought with a Rhode Island flavor and a side of humor and fun."

Kathy's blog comes at a great time for me, since I'm going back to New York City in a couple of weeks. Crossing all of those avenues and walking up the stairs from all of those subway stations requires a lot of stamina. And it's a lot more enjoyable if you're in shape.

So welcome to the blogosphere, Kathy!

My thoughts on the 2009 Tonys

Last year, when it was just me, myself and I on the couch, I had plenty of observations about the Tony Awards. This year, I don't actually have many observations because I was very busy having fun making my debut at the annual Tony party hosted by Sarah.

It was so great being with friends, fellow theatre fans and fellow bloggers in a swanky Regency suite. We kept the conversation and the bubbly flowing. We feasting on pizza, cucumber sandwiches, cupcakes and Rice Krispy bars, among other treats. (While Kevin kept us all up to date on the Tweets.)

Plus, I was trying to keep up with my first-ever Tony drinking game. In my case, that involved taking a sip of champagne whenever Angela Lansbury appeared on the big-screen tv, which was a lot. I think I did pretty well!

Here's a list of the 2009 Tony winners. Now, a few of the thoughts that did enter my mind in between sips of champagne:

How wonderful to see Angela Lansbury take her fifth award, for Best Featured Actress in a Play, tying her with Julie Harris for the most-ever wins. I'm excited about seeing Blithe Spirit next month, as well as all three parts of The Norman Conquests, winner for Best Revival of a Play.

And even though I was rooting for Will Swenson - because I was rooting for Hair for everything - I was happy that Gregory Jbara won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Billy Elliot. As Billy's dad, his attitude toward his son evolves in such a moving way over the course of the musical.

I was less happy that Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez won Best Actor in a Musical for Billy Elliot. Yes, the three actors who share the role of Billy are amazing dancers and they're adorable. But I don't think they're as compelling actors as they are dancers and they don't perform eight times a week. It's almost like the voters gave the award to the character.

But I was thrilled that Roger Robinson won for Best Featured Actor in a Play for portraying the mystical root worker Bynum Walker in Joe Turner's Come and Gone. I saw the play the evening before the Tonys and I loved it. What compelling characters and storytelling. (Watch for my review soon.)

Geoffrey Rush clearly deserved the award for Best Actor in a Play for Exit the King. He gave a performance that alternated between brilliantly comic and incredibly poignant. But I loved all of the nominated performances I saw in that category, as I did in so many other categories. And I wish there could have been more than one winner.

Loved host Neil Patrick Harris and his black leather suit and his 11 o'clock number. (Which I think was at 11:03.) Wish there were more of him on the show.

Liked it when award-winners remembered to thank spouses, significant others and children as well as agents, lawyers and managers.

Thought the Angry Dance didn't really show off Billy Elliot all that well. Although I guess the winner for Best Musical didn't really need the Tonys to boost sales.

The one performance that made me want to see the show is the one that I've already seen and loved - Hair, winner of Best Revival of a Musical. Which leads me to believe that performances on the Tonys don't win converts but merely confirm opinions you already hold. At least in my case.

I have thoughts, too!

It's been over a year now since I started writing Gratuitous Violins and I'm still waiting, patiently, for a publisher to stumble upon it and offer me a book deal. Sigh.

Until then, I'll live vicariously through Julie Powell, who wrote a blog about working her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. It became a bestselling book and now, a movie, Julie & Julia, starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep in the title roles.

Here's the trailer. It opens Aug. 7, and I can't wait! Meryl Streep is pretty amazing.

Travels with Fred and Hank

I can't resist a good travel story or a good dog story.

One of my favorite books is Travels with Charley, John Steinbeck's account of a cross-country trip he made in 1960, accompanied by his French standard poodle.

This one is about Fred and Hank, two very photogenic beagles traveling across America with their best friends/owners, Jim and Joan Brady. Jim used to work for The Washington Post and handles the writing. Joan takes most of the pictures.

The foursome are in New Orleans, where they celebrated St. Patrick's Day, and Fred and Hank went a little wild with the funny hats. I definitely need to bookmark this. Thanks to Andrew Sullivan for the tip.

I'm looking forward to the movie, because you know there'll be one - and then, the musical!

Another blogging milestone

This is my 500th post, so it's time for a blog tuneup.

Hard to believe that 18 months ago I wondered whether I'd have anything to say. The limitless capacity of cyberspace has allowed me to blather on for as long as I want. Too long, really.

If you've stuck with me, thank-you. I'll try to make posts 501-1,000 shorter and snappier, be less obsessive about linking, maybe use more photos and video.

Of course, it's much more difficult to write short than it is to write long. So I'll just stop here for now.

Break a leg, Steve

If you look at the lists on the right side of this blog you'll see the names of all the plays and musicals I've attended in the past couple of years. Without a doubt, my enthusiasm for the theatre started when I found Steve on Broadway.

As I've written before, I came upon Steve's blog in November 2006, when I was searching for information about A Moon for the Misbegotten. I sent him an e-mail and his reply was so gracious. He was excited for me and wanted to help make my first trip to Broadway a memorable one. He did and it was.

Now that Steve on Broadway has gone into blog semi-retirement, I'll miss reading him every day. He's had a great run - nearly three years - that would be the envy of most shows on the Great White Way.

And there's always the possibility of a revival or a special theatrical event. Steve's promised to post occasionally, if there's a headline he wants to write about or a personal experience he wants to share. He may also post capsule reviews of shows he's seen. And I hope he does!

Until then, browse through his archive. You'll find a passionate and knowledgeable voice, humor and wit, a fierce commitment to freedom of expression and an incredible generosity of spirit. Of all the posts he's written, this one is among my favorites.

I am so grateful for the gift of Steve's time - how he always finds a few minutes in his busy day to answer my e-mail, the hours I've spent with him and the love of his life at the theatre, sharing a meal, walking around New York City and staying as a guest in their home.

Steve, you've made me an enthusiastic theatergoer, you encouraged me to start my blog and most importantly, you remain a treasured friend and brother. Thank-you for welcoming me into your life at a time when I needed some welcoming.

As you take a well-deserved breather and move on to other pursuits, break a leg. Know that you have a permanent place on my blogroll and in my heart.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

To all of my readers, my dear friends and fellow bloggers, thank-you for making 2008 such a memorable year for me. The Guthrie, the Met, mimosas and more new pals and Broadway shows than I ever imagined!

My very best wishes to all of you and to all those you love for a happy, healthy and theatre-filled 2009.

In the coming months I'll be seeing more shows and hopefully there'll be more chances to meet up with my blogging buddies for good theatre, good food and drink, and good conversation.

But first, let's take a trip on the Wayback Machine:

In 1959, 50 years ago this year, these musicals opened on Broadway: The Billy Barnes Review, Fiorello!, First Impressions, Gypsy, Juno, Once Upon a Mattress, Redhead, Saratoga, The Sound of Music and Take Me Along

and these plays: A Majority of One, A Raisin in the Sun, Sweet Bird of Youth, and The Miracle Worker.

An epic acting opportunity

My acting experience consists of a drama class I took in middle school a long, long time ago and I probably won't be getting to New York City anytime in the next month. So sadly, I won't be auditioning for the Madshag Performance Group's staged reading of the Epic of Gilgamesh.

But Gabriel from Modern Fabulousity, one of the creative forces behind Madshag, has asked his fellow theatre bloggers to pass along the audition information in case any real actors out there want to give it a try. Who doesn't love a good epic! And this one, as Jon Stewart would say, is all about the Mess O' Potamia. (Although a much more ancient version.)

I had a terrific time meeting the very gracious ModFab during my last trip to New York and I love reading his insights into theatre, movies, television and politics. Plus, I'm all about supporting my fellow bloggers. So ModFab, I'm pleased to share my tens of readers with you! Click here for all the details.

My year of living theatrically - 2008

My year of living theatrically - 2008 edition - has drawn to a close. I saw 38 performances this year, eight more than in 2007. Among them were 35 plays and musicals, 1 opera, 1 concert and 1 Christmas spectacular.

There were so many terrific show-related moments, and I'll get to those later. But first, I want to mention some other ways in which this year has been memorable:

Oh, the places you'll go! I attended my very first opera, the poignant and lyrical Madama Butterfly, at the Metropolitan Opera. (And they really, really like me at the Met. They call, they write, they e-mail!) I saw the high-stepping Rockettes in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. I heard the smooth Scottish singer Euan Morton at the Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room. I traveled to the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, where I watched the premiere of the very appealing musical Little House on the Prairie and saw the Mississippi River for the very first time.

Making my list, checking it twice: I checked some more names off the list of Broadway houses I've visited. In a little over 18 months I've been in 25 of the 39 Broadway theatres. By the end of next spring I'll hopefully check off a few more, and I could well be into the single digits. But I still have some long-running shows to see on the Great White Way. That means someday in the not too distant future I could be down to Wicked, Jersey Boys, The Phantom of the Opera, The Little Mermaid, Chicago and Avenue Q if I want to complete the list. (Oops, I wasn't quite clear on this: I've seen Wicked on tour, just not on Broadway, so I'll be seeing it again to cross the Gershwin Theatre off my list!)

Stage door stories: I had many memorable encounters this year, including a delightful conversation with Rondi Reed a month before she won the Tony for August: Osage County. It was the culmination of quite a day. Standing there on the sidewalk for more than a half-hour, laughing and chatting with Ms. Reed until they actually shut off the marquee lights at the Music Box Theatre, was so much fun. What a great actress and what a genuinely warm and friendly person. I hope she's back on Broadway soon.

A TKT with a view: After 18 months of passing by a construction zone whenever I went to Broadway, I finally had a chance last month to see the newly refurbished Times Square TKTS booth. It's so much nicer now. I love the view from the top of the shiny red staircase. It looks like a great place to sit in nice weather and someday, I may even buy a half-price TKT there!

Getting to know you: Becoming a theatre fan has been fun and thrilling and it's been a way for me to start writing again. But it's also enabled me to make some new friends. I'm so glad we got together in March at Angus McIndoe's for our first bloggers brunch. Every time I've gone to New York this year I've had a chance to meet people I'd only known previously through their blogs and e-mail. Getting to know everyone been wonderful. Thank-you for making 2008 such a memorable year for me.